What a crying shame one of the better posters on here by far and we'll be a poorer place without his contributions. Hopefully his family will take some comfort from his posts brightening up the lives of us on here (many from far and wide). RIP Kelbo. You'll be missed on here. Enjoy your ride in the stars.

Enjoyed WM in terms of the atmosphere in the pub haha. Managed to get into all the matches to an extent (so it wasn't the car crash expected, more scraping a bollard). Bullshit ending though. I wouldn't have minded if they just hadn't shook hands. It's been a personal feud so the loser should've been @#/? off!

It's little things like allowing swears occasionally. And having watched 2 episodes I'm already a fan of aj styles.

I actually think Hulk has proven a very good authority figure. The aura he has is similar to that of HHH as kayfabe COO in WWE. Hulk is more entertaining in that role than in his final hulkamania run 10yrs ago imo.

Hogan still looks decent for his age, mind. He's no Vinny Mac though!!

At least I'm giving money to my fave student pub and having fun with pals. After last night, I'm hoping WM has some swerves that can save the event, as I agree that last night was weak. Ziggler cash-in (successful) and Cena heel-turn MIGHT save this PPV. Maybe some matches over-performing too, but not holding out too much hope tbh. I don't really follow other companies, though I will try my hand at TNA tonight onwards. Are ROH available on Sky TV anywhere? (Internet issues made downloading a few shows unbearable). On a plus (though still wondering if it's an April Fool's joke), WWE have apparently signed Amazing Red. Nice to see a lightweight added to the roster. Could also beef up the tag division if paired with Evan Bourne. Post-mania, WWE better handle the following with better class than they have so far: Ziggler, Cesaro, Rhodes. Those 3 should be in WHC contention at the very least. It would at least beef-up the upper-midcard without relying on part-timers too much in the Main Event scene. A roster with Cena, Punk, Sheamus, Orton, Kane, Bryan, BigShow, Henry, Ryback, Ziggler, Cesaro, Rhodes, Sandow, DelRio, Swagger, Christian, Barrett, Miz and Kofi on it's books should be delivering far more and better storylines. An under card of Mysterio, Sin Cara, Bourne, Amazing Red (pending), Ryder, Riley, Tatsu, Kidd, Gabriel should supplement that adequately. The tag division is promising too with the Shield, Usos, Epico and Primo and the PTP's! Given ALL that is supplemented by the part-timers of Rock, HHH, Lesnar and Jericho, there is NO reason we should be getting the shoddy product we currently do.

Relying on this to give me an escape from Rovers atmo. All 6 MainEvent competitors on Raw tonight. All those plus Heyman = must-watch imo. As well as being a big fan of Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler.

Such a shame. It can't be helping Flair's deteriorating health. I believe he's recovering from a clot?

Tix for WM at the adelphi pub in Preston bought can't wait haha

Only part time but nonetheless a big part of the last 3 WrestleManias. After wm30, I believe he's competed 3 times (twice at mania once at SS). Anymore others remember?

I reckon that's one of the funniest things I've ever read Agreed on Mania, it looks weak by usual standards. But I still think the matches can save the event despite little build. Cena has NEVER had a better chance to turn heel; certainly talked like a heel for 8 full minutes in his promo with Rock on Monday Night.

Agreed on Henry, Tom. The ME is undoubtedly Rock vs Cena for me. It's essentially WMX8's Rock vs Hogan with the WWE Title added. The match I'm most keen to see the fallout from (as I say I suspect a heel turn with Johnny Ace ending up leader of the Shield, teaming with Cena. Ace comes out (or 'Mr. John Laurinitis, the exectutive vice president for talent relations and the former interim general manager of Monday Night Raw') and hangs around ringside during the match, with Rock and Cena both confused, but they carry on. Cena is down and out and Ace is gesticulating for someone to come to the ring. The Shield enter and beat the rock to a pulp with chairs and the title. Cena crawls in bemused and pins Rock 1-2-3. Afterwards, Shield re-enter and stare him down.......before handshakes all round. And the biggest heel-turn since Austin at WMX7 is complete.

The individual matches look very good imo. But the only matches with any real storyline are Rock vs Cena (WWE Title), CM Punk vs Taker and Brock vs HHH. The rest seem a bit mashed together, which WWE are being (rightly) criticised for. It stops it being a 'WHOA, IT'S WRESTLEMANIA' kind of card to me and more like a Summerslam or Survivor Series kind of card; a good card but not as good as it should be. Here's my take on it and what I expect (although the 'go-home' Raw and Smackdown shows may change my mind: Rock vs Cena - WWE Title. Rock knows he can beat Cena, but Cena needs redemption. After the promo between both, I THINK a Cena heel turn may be on the cards if he loses. I suspect a Rock win again. Punk v Taker - BestInTheWorld vs BestAtWM. Was looking crap but Paul Bearer's unfortunate death has turned the feud on it's head with Punk stealing the urn. I expect a Taker win and a tribute to PB by Taker and Kane. Brock vs HHH (No Holds Barred) - if HHH loses, his career ends. Hard to call tbh. They need to make Brock look strong with a win (rumour has it he'll face Rock at WM30), but is HHH really ready to retire? Can't call. Alberto DelRio (w/ Ricardo Rodriguez) vs Jack Swagger (w/ Zeb Colter) - World Heavyweight Title. I expect a good technical match with a victory for Swagger in a new attempt to get the guy over. I hope the 'Anti-foreigner' gimmick will move on to Wade Barrett or Sheamus. The Shield (Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose) vs Randy Orton, Sheamus and BigShow. The Shield have been wreaking havoc in WWE beating up any face in their path. They have beaten various trios at Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, but finally seem intimidated by the presence of BigShow. I expect a Shield win. TeamHellNo (Kane and Daniel Bryan) vs Dolph Ziggler and Big E. Langston - TagTeamTitles. A good match in the making imo. 3 VERY good wrestlers in one ring (unsure on Langston). I expect this to become an 'AllTitles' match, with Kaitlyn joining HellNo and AJ joining RhodesScholars. Zig/Lang to win (with Kaitlyn and CodyRhodes becoming an item sometime after Mania). Wade Barrett vs The Miz - Intercontinental Title. Meh. Hoping for a local boy, Barrett win. But expect a Miz victory. Chris Jericho vs Fandango. No idea why. Only connection is DancingWithTheStars. I expect it's just a case of pairing the two so Jericho can let the world see what Fandango can do in the ring. Possible Fandango win? Dunno. Mark Henry vs Ryback. No idea where it's come from or why it's on, but it is. Won't call.

Carlito gave me an excuse to spit apple at people at a WWE fancy dress when I was about 14. Loved him for that haha. How about Eugene? Or Rico

That and his health (I believe he has gut issues?) Tbf, it's to WWE's benefit, but they don't seem to know how to capitalise on angles any more. If they started taking more of a 'soap' approach, it'd help. Plan for WM30 now. Plan a succession of storylines to build up to next years climax. Even the intricacies (and just change if there's a need for it, such as injury etc). An example of thise is pushing Ryback to the moon because he was getting chants. If they'd kept him at a midcard level (push for the US or IC title) it could have added a ton of credibility to that area of the card. Now he has very little momentum or direction and just constitutes 'filler'.

Though it does mean that you get to be UFC champ further down the line

He now goes under the name 'Tyrion Lannister' and thinks that Punk vs Taker undermines Punk. Imo, anyone who Taker trusts to carry their match is put over the frigging moon! I suspect another MOTN incoming. He also thinks Rock is 'past-it' (cliched promos maybe, but still enjoyable and very good in-ring).

Tis indeed Johnny Ace haha. You'll not be surprised to know I'm sad enough to frequent wrestlingforum too (where I found the gif).

Indeed. 2 of the great underdog wrestlers as champs. Was awesome and one of the few moments I've welled up while watching WWE. Shame Benoit had to soil it.

His brain was fecked, BUT he and WWE have to take the blame for that. Only Benoit can take the blame for the killings. The fact he (imo) demonstrated remorse doesn't make him a good guy. But he did a horrific thing that has unfortunately wiped from history the careers of one of the most gifted wrestlers since before the MondayNightWars and possibly 'ever'. Had he not done what he did, he'd have been a regular WHC or WWE champ by now imo. Gutted I didn't get to see Benoit vs Angle vs Eddie vs Jericho just once.

I can certainly see why they did it, don't get me wrong. But having worked with ppl with addictions I cant help but think it was one massive and horrific accident. He killed his family which is absolutely detestable, even if it was due to roid rage. But there was remorse there too as before he killed himself, he set a bible by each of them and crossed their arms. It's no excuse at all, but to me that showed he'd come to his senses somewhat, realised his crime, paid his respects before deciding he couldn't face punishment and took the cowards way out. He's deservedly in hell but his career was awesome and I miss Benoit the wrestler in all honesty.

The problem is them (or Vince) not knowing the difference between edgy and tasteless. Thank God they got the Benoit thing right by dropping it. But even then, I do feel they went a bit OTT in wiping him from history. Though that's possibly my bias as he was THE wrestler that originally got me interested.

We can agree to disagree I think. But I agree about Eddie. 'He's in hell' was waaaaaayyyyy too far.

The result may well be redundant, but I reckon it'll still be a match worth watching (as it always was imo). Taker is 5* WM material and Punk has a habit of pulling it off on PPV too. Sure it looks like Taker will win, doesn't mean the match itself won't be a good one, though. I think the point is Punk trying to play mind games with Taker and will eventually lose out. If Bearer hadn't died, the story would be non-existent, but I do think they've played it the right way. It's upped my interest in the feud, anyway.

I thought WWE handled his death and brought it into storyline very well last week and this week. They've done nothing to degrade the memory of Bearer imo. Punk is heel and it's working well imo.